Thursday, August 1, 2013

Thoughts on Thursday night

  The recent events in the UK with the "Pornography Filter", the US with the frakas over Snowden, NSA and Manning and finally Russia with it's homophobia and the loss of freedom to speak freely regarding religious beliefs have all put me in the mind that these events are being co-ordinated by a higher power.

  No I'm not talking conspiracy theories.  This is beyond anything man made, Ephesians 6:12 says

CLNT
12 for it is not ours to wrestle with blood and flesh, but with the sovereignties, with the authorities, with the world-mights of this darkness, with the spiritual forces of wickedness among the celestials.

NIV
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

CEV
12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.

 Obviously no matter how we translate it, there are forces in the spiritual world that are bringing world powers into alignment.  Embrace what freedoms you have today, they are being slowly eroded away as we march downward towards the end of this eon.  Do not be afraid though, God is in control and this is all as it is  intended.

   We know God works all things together for the good of those who love him.  We also know that he knows the end as he has from the very beginning and nothing surprises him.

  Although, be on your guard.  Satan's schemes have been the same since the day he brought down the fall of man.  When he wanted to destroy mankind, he did not tempt Adam and Eve through moral failings such as sexual desire, gluttony, or any of the other 7 sins.  His aim was simple.  He tempted them through their intellect.  And told them, "You can become like God, knowing good and evil." and, "Surely God did not say that, to die you will not be dying."

  We know how that ended.  So be on your guard, he will attempt to fool you by distracting you with "immorality" and other silly religious affections when his true goal is to beguile your minds.  It has always been to the intellect Satan appeals, yet we can stand firm against that.

  The word of God is true.  The gospel that Paul teaches is a firm foundation, and most of all - for freedom Christ freed us.

  Therefore, let us live freely to the high calling that God has called us to.  Live lives in obedience to your authorities and wait patiently for the exciting expectation we have in Christ Jesus.

  As Paul has exhorted us in Romans 13

1 Let every soul be subject to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except under God. Now those which are, have been set under God,
2 so that he who is resisting an authority has withstood God's mandate. Now those who have withstood, will be getting judgment for themselves,
3 for magistrates are not a fear to the good act, but to the evil. Now you do not want to be fearing the authority. Do good, and you will be having applause from it.
4 For it is God's servant for your good. Now if you should be doing evil, fear, for not feignedly is it wearing the sword. For it is God's servant, an avenger for indignation to him who is committing evil.
5 Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only because of indignation, but also because of conscience.
6 For therefore you are settling taxes also, for they are God's ministers, perpetuated for this self-same thing.
7 Render to all their dues, to whom tax, tax, to whom tribute, tribute, to whom fear, fear, to whom honor, honor.

8 To no one owe anything, except to be loving one another, for he who is loving another has fulfilled law.

and in 1 Thess 4

and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Amen,

Travis

No comments:

Post a Comment